Dallas
City Scorecard Rank
43
Dallas, TX
29.00Scored out of 100Updated 10/2020
Community-Wide Initiatives
Score: 3.5 out of 15 points
Community-Wide Summary List All
The City of Dallas adopted the Comprehensive Environmental & Climate Action Plan which establishes community-wide carbon neutrality goal by 2050.
Last updated: September 2021
Community-Wide Climate Mitigation and Energy GoalsList All
Climate Mitigation Goal
Dallas' Comprehensive Environmental & Climate Action Plan established a goal of achieving community-wide carbon neutrality by 2050, with an interim target of reducing emissions 43% below 2015 levels by 2030. ACEEE was unable to project if the city will achieve its near-term community-wide GHG emissions reduction goal because insufficient GHG emissions data were available for our analysis.
Dallas's 2030 District also set a sector-specific goal to reduce emissions in the Central Business District 50% by 2030.
The city does report greenhouse gas emissions in periodic reports to the Carbon Disclosure Project. The city’s most recent greenhouse gas inventory was released in 2019 and reports emissions from 2015.
Energy Reduction Goal
The Dallas 2030 District initiative has a sector-specific goal to reduce energy use 50% by 2030 for the central business district. The city does not have a community-wide energy reduction goal.
Renewable Energy Goal
The city does not have a renewable energy goal.
Last updated: September 2021
Equity-Driven Approaches to Clean Energy Planning, Implementation, and EvaluationList All
Equity-Driven Community Engagement
Dallas offered transportation reimbursement to residents attending climate action planning meetings.
Equity-Driven Decision-Making
We were unable to determine if the city has created a formal role for marginalized community residents or local organizations representing those communities to participate in decision-making that affects the creation or implementation of a local energy, sustainability, or climate action plan.
Equity Accountability Measures
As part of the city’s Resilient Dallas Plan, the city created goals to improve equity within the city government. The city has also identified actions, partners, and timeframes by which to fulfill these goals.
Last updated: September 2021
Clean Distributed Energy ResourcesList All
The city has not adopted a formal policy, rule, or agreement that supports the creation of clean distributed energy systems.
Last updated: September 2021
Mitigation of Heat Islands List All
UHI Mitigation Goal
The City of Dallas passed the Comprehensive Environmental and Climate Action Plan on May 27, 2020. Goal 6 has targets for 33%, 37% and 40% or more canopy cover citywide by 2030, 2040, 2050 respectively. There are also a targets for a 20%, 50% and 75% reduction in urban heat island index by 2030, 2040, and 2050 respectively.
UHI Policies and Programs
Dallas adopted the Green Building Program Ordinance which encourages the construction of sustainable buildings through two implementation phases. The first phase focused on encouraging energy efficiency, water conservation and reduction of the heat island effect through cool roofs. The second phase will expand to implement a comprehensive green building standard for all new construction. Newly proposed commercial projects with less than 50,000 square feet of floor area will be required to meet energy efficiency, water conservation, cool roof, and outdoor lighting requirements.
The city has adopted a private tree protection ordinance, but it does not apply to single family residential land. The city has not adopted policies that require or incentivize conservation of private land
The city created the Branch Out Dallas program, which provides trees native to Texas to single family residential properties. The program does not account for energy savings from tree plantings.
Last updated: September 2021
Buildings Policies
Score: 9 out of 30 points
Buildings Summary List All
The City of Dallas adopted the Dallas Energy Conservation Code, which incorporated the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) for residential buildings and the 2015 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2013 for commercial buildings. The city does not have a mandatory benchmarking and disclosure policy. Dallas offers incentives for energy efficiency upgrades, solar installations, and low-income programs. The city mandates a low-energy use requirement for buildings.
Last updated: June 2021
Building Energy CodesList All
Overview
The State of Texas allows its local jurisdictions to adopt and amend the Texas Building Energy Code. All residential and commercial building construction must comply with the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). The City is in the process of adopting the 2021 International Building Code. This Code will include elements that benefit the City, such as pre-wiring for Solar, and EV Charging infrastructure, as well as greater energy efficiency. Full adoption is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2021.
To learn more about the Texas’s building energy code, please visit the State Policy Database.
Commercial
Effective September 2016, commercial buildings in Dallas must comply with the Dallas Energy Conservation Code that incorporates the 2015 IEEC with amendments. In March 2017, Dallas amended the code to include an alternative compliance path for buildings meeting ENERGY STAR program certification. The city’s zEPI score for their commercial energy code is 53.7.
Residential
The Dallas Energy Conservation Code incorporated the 2015 IECC for residential construction effective September 2016. In March 2017, Dallas amended the code to include an alternative compliance path for buildings meeting ENERGY STAR program certification. The city’s zEPI score for their residential energy code is 59.8.
Solar-readiness policies
The city has not adopted a policy mandating new construction be solar-ready. The city is in the process of adopting the 2021 International Building Code. This code will include pre-wiring for solar.
EV-charging readiness and infrastructure policies
The city has not adopted a policy mandating new construction be EV- ready. The city is in the process of adopting the 2021 International Building Code. This code will include pre-wiring for EV charging infrastructure.
Low-energy use requirements
The Dallas Green Ordinance requires projects less than 50,000 square feet to be 15% more efficient than required by the Dallas Energy Conservation Code. The city allows flexible compliance paths for both commercial and residential developments. Commercial projects may demonstrate compliance by adhering to the International Green Construction Code with city amendments or by achieving LEED certification. Residential projects may demonstrate compliance by following the Dallas prescriptive path, ICC 700, LEED for Homes, or Green Built Texas. Projects are verified for compliance through the Third Party Green Building Program.
Last updated: June 2021
Building Energy Code Compliance and EnforcementList All
The city has two full-time employees solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. To ensure compliance, Dallas requires a third-party plan review and inspection from a registered energy provider, which can include performance testing. The city requires Residential/Commercial Green Providers to attend mandatory training on the city’s Green Building Code.
Last updated: June 2021
Policies Targeting Existing BuildingsList All
Incentives
The city offers property assessed clean energy (PACE) financing to commercial, industrial, and multifamily residential properties for water conservation, energy-efficiency, and solar installation. The city also offers residential properties rebates for a range of home improvement actions that include energy efficiency upgrades. Dallas’s updated housing policy includes provisions to finance energy efficiency upgrades that bring low-income homes up to current energy codes.
Voluntary programs
Dallas runs a 2030 District to encourage voluntary benchmarking.
Last updated: June 2021
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Workforce DevelopmentList All
The city does not have programs committed to developing a dedicated energy efficiency and/or renewable energy workforce.
Last updated: June 2021
Transportation
Score: 8.5 out of 30 points
Transportation Summary List All
The transportation authority serving the city of Dallas is Dallas Area Rapid Transit. DART also provides the public transportation for the city and the broader metropolitan area, including train, bus, light rail, and trolley service. The North Central Texas Council of Governments is the MPO in charge of conducting metropolitan transportation planning. Its area of jurisdiction encompasses the Dallas-Fort Worth area as well as many surrounding counties. The Public Works Department of Dallas is the city agency charged with managing the city’s transportation network.
Last updated: January 2017
Sustainable Transportation Planning List All
Sustainable Transportation Plan
Dallas released its Strategic Mobility Plan called Connect Dallas in early 2021. This plan was developed parallel to the Comprehensive Environmental & Climate Action Plan. Both plans include goals to reduce VMTs, mode shift, and increasing non-SOV travel.
VMT/GHG Target and Stringency
At this time, the City does not have a codified vehicle miles traveled (VMT) or greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction target. The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) sets regional VMT reduction targets that include the City. The City is developing VMT reduction goals as part of the Strategic Mobility Plan/CECAP that will exceed the regional VMT targets. It is anticipated that both Plans will be adopted in Spring 2020 through Council Resolution, thereby codifying VMT/GHG reductions and other mobility goals.
Progress Achieved Toward VMT/GHG Targets
The City of Dallas is not yet tracking community GHG or VMT levels
Last Updated: November 2021
Location Efficiency List All
Location Efficient Zoning Codes
Dallas’s Chapter 51A Article XIII uses mixed-use districts on the neighborhood scale to implement transit-oriented communities and mixed use development in area plans.
Residential Parking Policies
The City requires 2 or more parking spots per single family lodging but allows one or more parking spaces per residential unit in certain areas. The City is evaluating phased reductions in parking minimums as part of the Comprehensive Environmental & Climate Action Plan.
Location Efficiency Incentives and Disclosure
There are no incentives available through the City to promote location efficiency. The Forward Dallas Comprehensive Plan and updates covers polices regarding compact, mixed use development. This plan is scheduled for updating following completion of the Land Use/ Transportation goals as set forth in the Comprehensive Environmental and Climate Action Plan. The City contains seven defined Federal Opportunity Zones; it is anticipated that these areas will be developed with compact, mixed used development, affordable housing, energy efficient design, and green infrastructure to minimize hydrologic impact and future heat island impacts.
Last Updated: November 2021
Mode Shift List All
Mode Shift Targets
Dallas has mode shift targets for several modes. These targets were established through the Connect Dallas Strategic Mobility Plan and the CECAP.
Progress Achieved Toward Mode Shift Targets
Progress on mode shift targets is tracked on the CECAP Dashboard.
Complete Streets
Dallas adopted its complete streets policy in 2011 and has since updated it with its Complete Streets Design Manual. The Complete Streets Initiative encourages the inclusion of complete streets principles in all road construction and maintenance projects.
Last Updated: November 2021
Public Transit List All
Transportation Funding
The transportation entities that serve the City of Dallas have received $738,319,384.20 on average annually between 2015 and 2019. That equates to roughly $306.63 per capita between 2015 and 2019 within the Authority's service area.
Access to Transit Services
The Transit Connectivity Index measures transit service levels. It is based on the number of bus routes and train stations within walking distance for households scaled by frequency of service. The City of Dallas’s Transit Connectivity Index value is 6.8, scoring 0.5 points in the City Scorecard.
Last Updated: November 2021
Efficient VehiclesList All
Vehicle Purchase Incentives
At this time, Dallas does not offer incentives for citizens to purchase hybrid, plug-in, or EV vehicles. A local electric provider ONCOR offers incentives for the purchase of a Nissan Leaf. In addition, the state offers electric vehicle incentives through the TCEQ. This is under evaluation as part of the CECAP.
Vehicle Infrastructure Incentives
There are no incentives available for the construction of EV charging infrastructure. This is being evaluated as part of the Comprehensive Environmental & Climate Action Plan.
EV Infrastructure
The City has 275 charging ports available for public use, equivalent to 20.5 ports per 100,000 people.
Electric School Bus Goal
Dallas does not have an electric school bus goal.
EV Transit Bus Goal
DART in cooperation with the City of Dallas has a goal to purchase 100% electric buses by 2030. They also plan to operate a fully electric fleet by 2040.
Last Updated: November 2021
Freight System EfficiencyList All
Dallas does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency. Freight policy is being evaluated as part of the coordinated Connect Dallas / CECAP efforts.
Last Updated: November 2021
Clean, Efficient Transportation for Low-Income CommunitiesList All
Affordable New TOD Housing Policy
Dallas has a requirement in place for the development of mixed-income housing in all TIF financed projects which ensures that affordable housing will be an integral component of each development. Connect Dallas and the CECAP both include actions to promote affordable housing in transit-oriented development.
Connecting Existing Affordable Housing Stock to Efficient Transportation Options
There are DART programs to provide assistance to qualified riders. Additional programs are under consideration as part of the Comprehensive Environmental & Climate Action Plan.
Last Updated: November 2021
Energy & Water Utilities
Score: 4 out of 15 points
Energy & Water Utilities Summary List All
Oncor, an investor-owned utility (IOU), is the primary electric utility serving the City of Dallas. The primary natural gas IOU serving Dallas is Atmos. The City of Dallas is an active promoter of Oncor’s electric efficiency programs. The State of Texas requires electric utilities to offset load-growth through end-use energy efficiency, mandated through an EERS. The utilities must also submit their energy savings goals to the Public Utility Commission of Texas. To learn more about the state requirements for electric and gas efficiency, please visit the Texas page of the State Database. On the state level, Dallas strongly advocates for additional spending requirements for electric efficiency projects for Oncor.
Dallas Water Utilities provides Dallas with drinking water services, wastewater treatment, and stormwater management.
Last Updated: July 2021
Electricity and Natural Gas Efficiency SavingsList All
In 2019, according to EIA, Oncor achieved 214,599 MWh in net incremental savings, representing 0.52% of retail sales. In 2019, according to EIA, Oncor spent $43,852,000 on energy efficiency programs, which represents 1.05% of its retail revenue.
In 2019, Atmos Energy reported 0.19 MMtherms of net natural gas savings at the meter, which represents 0.01% of its retail sales across the utility’s service territory. In 2019, Atmos reported spending $1,078,302 on energy efficiency, which equates to $0.70per residential customer. These figures cover the entire Texas service territory, not just Dallas.
Oncor offers electric efficiency incentives and technical assistance to residential and commercial/industrial customers.
At this time, the City of Dallas does not have a formal partnership with Oncor or Atmos Energy in the form of a jointly developed or administered energy saving strategy, plan, or agreement.
Last Updated: July 2021
Low-Income & Multifamily EE Programs List All
Low-Income Programs
Oncor offers the Hard-to-Reach Standard Offer Program and a Targeted Low-Income Weatherization Program to qualified low-income residential customers. The Hard-to-Reach program is designed to achieve energy and demand savings with the installation of a wide range of energy efficiency measures at low or no cost. Service providers implement the energy-saving measures, and their costs are offset by incentives paid by Oncor. Measures include duct sealing, water efficiency measures, insulation, weatherstripping, and caulking. Oncor is also implementing a Targeted Weatherization Program through the Texas Association of Community Action Agencies (TACAA), which provides funds to designated federal Weather Assistance Program (WAP) subrecipient agencies. This enables them to provide weatherization services to low-income residential electric distribution customers. Energy-efficient measures installed include aerators, attic insulation, air infiltration, central air conditioning units, central heat pumps, duct improvement, floor insulation, and ENERGY STAR® refrigerators and windows. Customers are automatically enrolled in Oncor’s low-income programs if they are enrolled in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP), Home Weatherization Assistance Plan (HWAP), or Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP).
Spending and energy savings value, and the number of customers served by their 2019 low-income programs were not available.
At this time, Atmos Energy does not offer energy efficiency programs targeted at low-income customers in the City of Dallas.
Multifamily Programs
Oncor offers a multifamily program, which includes incentives for appliances, heating and cooling updates, and lighting. Savings, spending, and participation data was not available for 2019.
Atmos Energy offers rebates for new multifamily housing, which can be used for the installation of new high-efficiency gas appliances. In 2019, according to Atmos Energy, it achieved 0.003 MMtherms in saving, while spending $21,900 on its multifamily programs and serving 73 housing units in 1 multifamily property.
Last Updated: August 2021
Provision of Energy Data by UtilitiesList All
Neither Oncor nor Atmos Energy provide building managers with automated benchmarking data through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager for multitenant commercial or multifamily buildings.
Oncor provides energy usage data to the city who uses the data in their planning processes, yet this data is not made available to the public. The most recent data was gathered for the GHG inventory for 2015. This data will be updated as part of the 2019 GHG inventory.
The city of Dallas advocates for better data access. The Dallas Comprehensive Environment & Climate Action Plan (CECAP) includes B3, Develop Clear and Comprehensive Educational Program for Building Owners and Tenants About Existing Energy Efficiency Programs.
Last Updated: July 2021
Decarbonization and Climate Change Mitigation Efforts of Energy UtilitiesList All
Utility Climate Mitigation Goal
At this time, ONCOR does not have a carbon emissions reduction goal in place.
City-Led Efforts to Decarbonize the Electric Grid
As part of the 2019 Green Energy Policy, the City has taken steps to become involved in the related regulatory proceedings. The Green Energy Policy established a relationship with the City’s energy provider to work toward expanding renewable green energy that requires the city to use 100% renewable energy and directs actions towards implementing on and off-site generation. The City is also developing its Comprehensive Environmental & Climate Action Plan, which will also create opportunities to spur more utility-scale renewable generation to serve the city. Representatives from both ONCOR and Atmos Gas Company participated in the Stakeholder Advisory Committee that provided input into the CECAP.
Last Updated: July 2021
Efficiency Efforts in Water ServicesList All
Dallas’s water and energy utilities do not jointly administer water and energy efficiency programs. DWU does participate in ERCOT’s 4 Coincident Peak program, which reduces electrical demand during peak time. The city has watering restrictions and offers its own water efficiency programs including the New Throne for your Home program, irrigation system checks, rebate programs, multi-sector water audits, and support for minor plumbing repairs.
While Dallas’s Water Conservation Strategic Plan (2016-2020) calls for an average of 1% per year reduction in per capita consumption for the five-year planning period, the city does not have a new water conservation target.
Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation
The Dallas City Council’s strategic plan calls for energy recapture opportunities in the water and wastewater systems. DWU has a project underway that will look at the installation of smart water meters to help reduce water loss and increase efficiency in the water treatment and delivery system.
The Southside wastewater treatment plant has a bio-digester that generates electricity used on-site. The Cogeneration Facility has been in service for approximately 10 years and supplies about 50% of the wastewater plant’s electricity needs.
Last Updated: June 2021
Local Government Score:
4 out of 10 points
Local Government Climate and Energy Goals List All
Climate Mitigation Goal
The City's Comprehensive Environmental & Climate Action Plan (CECAP), adopted in 2020, includes a goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, which also applies to municipal operations. The plan includes an interim goal of 43% reduction below 2015 levels by 2030. These goals apply to municipal operations, as well as the community. To meet this goal, Dallas must reduce per capita emissions by 3.03% annually. ACEEE projects that the city will meet its GHG emissions reduction goal for local government operations.
Energy Reduction Goal
We were unable find information regarding a municipal energy reduction goal, although the City's CECAP includes several actions targeting energy efficiency.
Renewable Energy Goal
In April 2019, the Dallas City Council passed a resolution establishing the City of Dallas Green Energy Policy. This policy requires that all energy consumed by municipal operations be purchased from 100 percent renewable sources. The policy also "seeks to sustain and promote renewable energy projects and partnerships that reduce emissions and environmental impacts for the benefit of Dallas residents and the region".
Last updated: June 2021
Procurement and Construction Policies List All
Fleet Policies and Composition
Dallas adopted a Clean Fleet Policy in 2012 (revised in 2015). The policy includes requirements for purchase of hybrid, plug-in hybrids, and CNG vehicles, as well as fuel efficiency standards for public fleet vehicles. The City of Dallas is an adoptee of the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NTCOG) Regional Clean Fleet Vehicle Policy. Dallas’ municipal fleet is composed of 4.3% efficient vehicles, including hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery electric vehicles.
Public Lighting
Dallas has not adopted a policy requiring efficient outdoor lighting, such as the International Dark-Sky Association’s Model Lighting Ordinance, but the city uses a lighting control system for some lights. Dallas installs LEDs for all newly constructed streetlights. We were unable to confirm the proportion of streetlights between the City of Dallas, TexasDOT, and Oncor that have been converted to LEDs.
Onsite and offsite renewable systems
The City's onsite generation capacity is approximately 4,966 kW, which includes six City buildings with rooftop solar panels. Projects to expand solar capacity are in development as part of CECAP actions.
Inclusive procurement
While we were unable to verify if the policy has been applied to energy projects, City of Dallas has a minority business inclusion ordinance mandating all the City contracts have reasonable inclusion of minority and women-owned business participation. All Construction projects have minimum minority- and women-owned business participation goals.
Last updated: June 2021
Asset Management List All
Building Benchmarking
Dallas is currently working on a project for Energy Benchmarking City of Dallas facilities over 10,000 square feet in Energy Star Portfolio Manager. Current plan is to benchmark 75% of the City of Dallas buildings by end of FY22 for which energy utility is currently funded by City of Dallas general funds. Energy data for all the energy benchmarked buildings will be updated annually to monitor facility energy usage. The information from Energy Star Portfolio Manager will be made available by FY22.
Comprehensive Retrofit Strategy
City of Dallas implemented energy efficiency projects in various City of Dallas buildings in 2008 and 2015 under SECO Loan Star Program. City of Dallas takes a proactive approach in sustaining the energy savings, by addressing the deficiencies identified in M&V reports provided under energy performance contracts. City of Dallas is also currently working with SECO under a FY 21 program to initiate preliminary energy audits (PEA) for some of the City of Dallas buildings. City of Dallas currently has dedicated and ongoing funding sources available for energy procurement and monitoring which includes energy efficiency improvements.
Last updated: June 2021